In a major development, India and China have agreed for a complete disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

This was informed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

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“I am happy to inform the House today that as a result of our well thought out approach and sustained talks with the Chinese side, we have now been able to reach an agreement on disengagement in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake,” Rajnath Singh said.

“The agreement that we have been able to reach with the Chinese side for disengagement in the Pangong lake area envisages that both sides will cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner,” Rajnath Singh added.

Rajnath Singh further informed that both India and China have agreed to convene the next meeting of the Senior Commanders within 48 hours after the complete disengagement in the Pangong Lake area so as “to address and resolve all other remaining issues”.

“The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the North Bank area to east of Finger 8.Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3. A similar action would be taken in the South Bank area by both sides. These are mutual and reciprocal steps and any structures that had been built by both sides since April 2020 in both North and South Bank area will be removed and the landforms will be restored,” Rajnath Singh said.

“Patrolling will be resumed only when both sides reach an agreement in diplomatic and military talks that would be held subsequently,” the Defence Minister informed.

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“The implementation of this agreement has started yesterday in the North and South Bank of the Pangong Lake. It will substantially restore the situation to that existing prior to commencement of the standoff last year,” Rajnath Singh informed.